New research reports low rate of mechanical failure in Optim family leads during long-term evaluation

8th December 2014

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A new study evaluating Optim-insulated implantable cardioverter defibrillator leads found low rates of all-cause mechanical failure during a median follow-up of 3.2 years. The long-term prospective study, published in HeartRhythm, the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, is the first-of-its-kind to observe a large population of patients over a relatively long follow-up period.

The study independently analysed data from three prospective registries launched by St Jude Medical between 2006 and 2009. The registries enrolled 10,835 patients (mean age of 66 years and a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 29%) with 11,016 Optim-insulated leads implanted (8,147 Durata and 2,869 Riata ST Optim leads). All registries included standardised baseline documentation, six month follow-up, adverse events reports and documentation of lead revisions or inactivation, study withdrawal and death.

During a median follow-up of 3.2 years, there were 51 mechanical failures (0.46%), with 99% of patients free of this outcome by five years of follow-up. In addition, freedom from conductor fracture was identified in 99.4% of patients and all-cause abrasion in 99.8% of the leads, and there were no reports of externalised conductors.

The results come at a time when implantable cardioverter defibrillators are implanted at a rate of approximately 10,000 implants per month in the USA. Additionally, the mechanical failures in older Riata leads led to class action lawsuits and FDA recalls left many people sceptical of their ability to be effective. The new Optim-insulated leads were designed to have greater durability and lower rates of abrasion than older designs.

“Previous studies showed positive results for Optim leads, but only followed patients for about two years and evaluated a significantly smaller number of patients with leads. Our ongoing analyses now include some patients followed for up to seven years and support existing data that better performance with Optim leads is a reality,” states lead-author John A Cairns, professor of medicine, Division of Cardiology of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. “The data from this study is of great importance to help electrophysiologists make more informed decisions as they relate to the performance of these leads and the management of patients who depend on them.”